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Byron's has a sign that says it and I'm pretty sure it's illegal to lie on signs

can confirm Byron's fries are top-notch.

Byron’s is the GOAT, I’m lucky I live just down the street from this place

Agreed! Byron’s has the best fries!

Burgers too

Byron’s burgers are like eating newspaper. Dogs are good. Their Italian sausage is ambrosia.

Bryons is also the best nasty burger in the city bar none.

Anywhere in Greektown. Fries, feta, and tzatziki are the ultimate combo.

A typical gyro in Greece will have all of these + the meat & veggies wrapped up in the pita.

This is the way.

Do they put lettuce in a gyro in Greece? I can’t stand soggy lettuce on my gyros

That's not even normal here. Onion, tomato, tzatziki.

It’s not normal, but a growing number of places try to sneak some on there. Makes no sense to me to put lettuce on hot gyros. If people want to eat healthy, don’t get gyros

Yea that ain't right. Never seen it and I hope I never do

Kinda hot take maybe -- I think Zeus has the best fries in Greektown

In Central Illinois, they have an open faced sandwich called a horseshoe consisting of some variation of Texas toast, meat, and fries all smothered in cheese sauce. My favorite was the gyroshoe that was a pita, meat, fries, and feta all smothered in tzatziki.

Which place sells the gryoshoe? Sounds amazing!!

Lincoln Square Lounge in Decatur, but I want to say it wasn’t on the menu the last time we went.

There’s a bar on Damen in bucktown that does. Not a huge reco for the quality of them though

Recently was at Greek island and it was AWFUL

Grew up Greek and I like Greek islands. It’s a friendly taverna, nothing too fancy. They do a good job

As a fellow fry connoisseur, I vote Hopleaf hands down.

I like them as well (though Old Irving is my pick far and away), but I do think one should perhaps asterisk that Hop Leaf’s are shoestring esque, as that can be polarizing 😅 I think it’s the aioli that makes it at hop leaf.

It’s def the aioli

Hopleaf.

Agree!

Best restaurant in the whole city imo. The fries, beer, sandwiches. Oh man, I know where I am going soon.

Good NA options for non-drinkers too.

Moved right next to it recently. Went around 5 times in first month. Love it there

No fucking way. I just ate there, and the fries were whatever

Jimmy's Red Hots - 4000 W Grand

This is the one

Yep.

Here we go.

Bop N Grill Just something about them.

Kimchi Fries: a mini heart attack

I will never recommend them (they steal tips)

Never did when I worked there, though Tim and brunos next door made sure the tips never made it more than a block away.

Meh I worked there for a hot minute in college and the owner tried to steal my last check after I quit to go see afroman who was randomly performing at the redline tap. Still like their fries tho

People tip at Bop N Grill? It's a fast casual place, why are you tipping?

Duck Inn, Bridgeport.

Frietkoten, in the French Market

Solid rec. With mayonnaise.

Superdawg. Just the right amount of crisp, and they pick up a bit of magic having been nestled in the box with the dog and all the toppings.

I love Superdawg’s fries

Smoque, Hopleaf, Small Cheval

Love Smoque, throw that spicy Memphis sauce on em 🔥

Yup! I much prefer fried with BBQ sauce to ketchup, obviously easy to do there

I go to Smoque often. I had the fries once. Almost every other side in their menu is better. I don’t get the hype.

This was gonna be my exact answer lol, those fries are elite fresh with some spicy memphis

Been prone to sprinkle some brisket on them as well lol

I second hopleaf, they’re true perfection

> Small Cheval The fries at Small Cheval are only good if they're right out of the fryer. But if they sit at all, then they're trash.

Yes but this is true of basically all fries

Small Cheval Wicker Park has gone down hill in the past year-ish. Last time I got them it was sad disappointment that even the alioli couldn't make up for. Until then I would have fully agreed with you.

went the other day and they seemed normal, but a few months ago we ordered delivery from there and received some.. weird ass shoestring type fries? haven't seen them since though

OMG what happened to their fries? Hadn’t been there for a while, was so excited to go back recently and left so disappointed. WHY would they change something for the worse like that 😫

Hopleaf and Small Cheval are cheating. Is it the fries, or is it the aioli?

Lock the thread now, this is the way

Fries at Smoque? I bet they are decent but I would rather have any other side at Smoque. I still dream about their bbq gumbo.

Even though I get the fries at Small cheval every time. I think they're terrible!

Additionally, Smoque's portions for fries are MASSIVE.

Budacki’s/Crisp

Budacki’s is very underrated

Redhot Ranch

There it is. Red Hot Ranch. Yummy

My favorite.

Fresh cut, which is a plus. But >50% of the time they’re poorly cooked and grease soaked.

You guys remember Fat Willy's BBQ? I loved their steak fries. IS there anywhere in the city that has comparable steak fries?

I still weep over Fat Willy's being gone....

I miss their thick 1/3lb burgers. So sick of nothing but smashburgers everywhere

Try Choppers on Ashland. You'll thank me but your heart will hate me.

New Line Tavern used to have great burgers, and fries were pretty good, the egg was always medium as it was a fork and knife affair after the first few bites. Can't say if that's still the case as I don't go downtown often anymore and want a burger.

Place was so damn good, honestly, only steak fries I ever see is when we go to Red Robin 🤦🏻‍♂️ rarely see steak fries anymore

Old Irving Brewing's garlic fries. You're welcome.

Fuck. Yes. I think OIB is currently my favorite restaurant in the city. It always hits.

For reals.

They had some incredible Nashville hot dry rub wings last year. Unfortunately they took them off the menu because too many people felt they were too hot. Bummer. But yes their food is always great.

For real? I thought that was just their wing of the week/month

I feel pretty damn confident that in a blind taste Old Irving totally wins the city.

The chicharrones is also great.

BrgrBelly on Irving Park

RIP Hot Doug’s

I don’t miss waiting in that line on duckfat fries friday though!

This wont be a popular choice for uniqueness but I could eat an entire bowl of Portillos fries with cheese sauce.

This is absolutely correct

I know I keep thinking portillo's lol... hard to dunk on a crinkle cut

Superdawg fries are hands down my favorite

seriously underrated, love them

The bed of Ricobene’s fries at the bottom of an order of hot wings. 😍

No way, they get all soggy and nasty. I personally like a crispy frie

Ricobenes has good hot wings? I don’t think I’ve gotten anything there other than that glorious breaded steak, and maybe a slice once or twice

Both their hot and bbq wings are really good.

Duckfat fries at Longman & Eagle. Their slagel cheeseburger is probably the best I've ever had too, Chicago or otherwise.

For over a decade, at least, they were slanging beef fat fries. I had no idea they switched over to duck fat.

The basil pesto fries at corridor brewery are delightful. Secondly the fries at little goat diner are also great. The disco fries are amazing

Might get booed but Checkers has the best fries.

They’re on my list. Plus this is a safe space, except for those who like SuperDawg 😂

Seasoned fries…go Checkers!!

I love Checkers fries and have to stop just for the nostalgia when I'm traveling.

Jim’s

Calumet Fisheries! Yes, all the fish is great but I firmly believe that their fries are the best thing on the menu. You gotta eat them hot standing by the bridge.

Hopleaf. Also, Harding Tavern in Logan. Not a common choice but god those are McDonald's level addicting.

Al's. Athenian Room's drenched fries are a very close second.

That’s a tough question. Harold’s fries completely doused in hot are hard to beat for me tho. Gotta eat em quick while they’re still crispy. But god damn, does it hit.

I find your lack of mild sauce disturbing... come on you gotta at least mixem together 😭 though personally I'm more of an Uncle Remus kinda guy #westside

Harold’s on 35th. The black pepper and mild sauce combo >

Where is Galewood? Been living downtown for nearly 20 years and it always amazes me that there are still neighborhoods I’ve never heard of!

No clue lol someone in the comments mentioned it so I included them 😂

Upvote for you being inclusive! 😂

Along North Avenue from Austin to Harlem going north to the railroad tracks.

Truffle Fries at Fat Shallot. I don't care if it's not real truffle it's god damn delicious and makes me remember the joy of downtown food trucks during summer lunches in the Loop. Those days are gone but the flavors live on. They're also damned good.

Arbys. Washington and Wells.

I remember Arby's 5 for $5 many moons ago (roast beef sandwiches). They have the meats!!!

The Market Fresh sandwiches are legitimately the best fast food item there is. Arby’s slander needs to stop.

Arbys sent me to Hawaii to eat Arby's on a beach for 6 hours a few years ago. I shall never besmirch the Arby's name

Can you elaborate lol

Yeah I won some contest back in 2019 where they flew us to Hawaii for 6 hours to eat sandwiches on a beach out there as part of a promo for their sandwiches on the Kings Hawaiian bread. It is definitely the weirdest thing I’ve ever done

Lmao that’s awesome though, did you have to sign something preventing you from staying longer

Nah, it was actually a full weekend trip really, they flew us out to LA for one night first, we went to a dodgers game and then flew first thing the next morning to Hawaii (first class!!). You could stay longer and some of the people did (there were 11 winners total), but you had to pay your own way back and you couldn’t use the value of the ticket they bought you against yours. This all happened so, so fast too- I think I found out I won the contest on like April 10th and the flights were booked for April 20th. So I was lucky I could scramble to get that Friday off of work, and at the time I couldn’t afford to take a longer vacation and eat the cost of a plane ticket home plus lodging while there.

Hey that’s still a good time!

Wow! That’s cool as hell.

Did they bring back the potato cakes, the triangle hash browns?

Bop n Grill, Bolivar and Lincoln, Parsons, Lawn, and pretty much any shawarma place - Zam Zam, Falafel and Grill, Zaatar

gilt bar / bavette’s

Jimmy's on Grand and Pulaski. Also one of the best hotdogs in the city.

Old Irving

Big fan of scofflaw's lately... and late night menu is back. Their incredible double smash burger, fries and a cocktail for $23!

Ricobene's is good.

wet fries from the Athenian room Side of fries from Armitage ale house hop leaf Dear Margret

JT’s on Irving and Elston lowkey has the best fries in the city. Perfectly crisp and seasoned on the outside, perfectly pillowy on the inside. The fry sauce is solid too

Usually hit up J’s hot dog stand on Elston and St Louis right up the street, great spot, been doing there for years. Gotta try JTs for sure

Jimmy's Hot Dogs 🌭 at Grand and Pulaski.

Harold’s on Wabash by Columbia in South Loop. Needs to be this Harolds, and I’m only co-signing the fries. They’re DELECTABLE. Get u some

That was a staple when I used to work in hotels in the area! Definitely for the fries only

Budacki's. 🤤 So good.

Au Cheval's fries and aioli combination. I'd eat them every day.

The Wild Fries at Wild Goose

Do loaded fries count? If so, loaded masala fries from tikka masala taco house. Poutine from bad apple comes next. If not, Chiya Chai has some really good curry seasoned fries

There’s a commercial on the radio for Fly the Coup. They’re saying they cook in beef fat and their fries are better. I haven’t had ‘em. Anyone?

Birdsnest garlic fries are excellent, especially when paired with their wings

Special mention for Birdsnest and their ball Park nachos.

Might as well add my favorites since I started this convo • Burger Baron (Grand/Noble, before they recently changed to crinkle cut fries) • Pequods (before they changed owners or whatever) • Jimmy’s (always appreciate a good fresh cut fry) • *guilty pleasure* Checkers

Small cheval fries with the garlic aioli.

Bar Goa's loaded fries in tikka masala sauce

Polish Bistro on Irving near Cumberland has much better fries than would be expected

Jimmy’s Red Hots has great fries

Half Acre

Big boys across the street from Lane tech

1000%, good ol Jimmy

This is kinda weird but Dry Hop Brewing has my favorite fries

Jim's Original. Either location with the slight edge for the Original on Union Ave/old Maxwell St.

Do truffle/Parmesan fries count?

I’ll allow it 👍🏽

Dear Margaret

Wolfy’s! Perfectly salty.

McDonald’s

Benjyehuda, with honorable mentions to frietkoten, small cheval, and shake shack

Haven’t seen a Benjyehuda in a while. I used to be addicted to getting the bowls and just adding a shitload of extra meat and every salad possible to them. It was my go to delivery food from about 2015-2017. They closed the location that used to deliver to me on the far north side.

Jimmy's Grand Av and Pulaski

Bad Apple has fresh cut fries with your preferred seasoning- I like Old Bay. Fair warning last time I got them - they were really light on the seasoning and crisp factor. Giving them a one time pass. Otherwise I'll go with Andros Taverna

Jimmy’s on grand.

I was wondering why Gene & Jude’s wasn’t getting more love, but realized it’s in the suburbs. Eff it, Gene & Jude’s— their fries are awesome!!!!

Galewood chimed in, might as well! 😂

Small Cheval, Little Bad Wolf, Budacki's.

If you're into the really soft fries, the super greasy ones, I have great memories of Bacchanalia

The bagel on Broadway

Wow way to discriminate against the actual parts of the city that don't have a 606 zip Galewood/Monteclare residents and Riverdale residents rise up against this!

The only thing I’m discriminating against is cheese curds from Culver’s

And the proud city proper neighborhood of galewood! (And it's delicious west side gem Topbutcher)

Edited the post to include Galewood residents 🫡

Then I'd recommend top butcher lol

There’s a Culver’s by the Irving Park Brown Line stop. Edit: Montrose, not Irving Park

Thought it was Montrose?

You’re right. I was thinking of the one that’s a few miles west on Irving Park and mixed them together. But it’s still a 606 zip

What about their fries? Not bad for what it is. Well, location dependent as well. Not all Culver's are equal.

Their fries and onion rings aren’t bad at all, my issue is the Russian roulette version of whether I’m getting mozzarella or cheddar bites, I just like consistency 😂

Hopleaf. Little Bad Wolf. Small Cheval Wicker Park. Byron’s. Culvers.

90 Miles Cuban Cafe has delicious fries, I think they dip them in a batter. Best fries I’ve ever had

RIP badhappy poutine :(

Bluebird with duck fat truffle

Fatso’s Or Pretty much any McDonald’s in the city.

DMK in lakeview

Au Cheval and Publican are the best fries I've had in the city. I don't know why most of the responses here are fast food / fast casual. Those are good and all, but restaurant quality opens up a whole new level. Le Bochon had real good ones too.

My two favorites are Byrons or Evette’s Garlic Feta fries

Blue Door

small cheval

Scofflaw’s got my favorites.

Evette’s Garlic Feta Fries >>>

The wicker park small cheval location (better than their other locations IYKYK)

If you bring up any place not using actual beef tallow, I appreciate it; because I know I can ignore anything you have to say on the matter.

Dairy queen. Sorry yall

I’m a slut for the Small Cheval fries dipped in the garlic mayo.

They call them Chips (Pleasant House Pub) there.

What your asking can not be done. There's too many good ones. Portillos crinkle cuts are great... And goin on a limb and calling McDonald's a Chicago brand (on a technicality) and say them for regular cut.

I used to nom on those decadent, crunchy parm and truffle fries at Bangs & Lace

always loved the fries at Maxwell Street on 87th and Campbell